DUTA Letter to LG, 28.7.2014

28 July 2014

This is to request you for an urgent appointment regarding a serious situation that has arisen in B R Ambedkar College, a college whose governance comes under the jurisdiction of the Delhi Government.

You would recollect the public outcry in October 2013 against the Principal of B R Ambedkar College, Dr. G K Arora, after the self-immolation by Mrs Pavitra Bhardwaj, a former employee of the college, who in her dying declaration and suicide note, had blamed  Dr G K Arora for sexual harassment, mental and physical trauma, that had forced her to take the extreme step.

Following the widespread protests and demand for action against Dr. Arora, the Delhi Government had set up a one man enquiry under Shri B L Garg, and the College Governing Body had, in a meeting held in October, 2013, placed Dr. Arora under suspension pending enquiry.

After the term of ten members of the Governing Body nominated by Delhi Govt ended on 2.11.2013, the Governing Body was not reconstituted by the University, and the college has been governed by a “truncated” Governing Body consisting of five members, namely, two University Representatives, the Acting Principal and two teachers representatives from the college.

Meanwhile, a group of teachers had filed a PIL in the Hon’ble High Court challenging the setting up of the BL Garg Committee as it was in violation of Ordinance XVIII of Delhi University that governs all colleges coming under Delhi University, including B R Ambedkar College. Delhi Government, in its affidavit, stated that no action was to be taken on the basis of the BL Garg Committee report, as an investigation by the Delhi Police following an FIR lodged against Dr Arora was underway. The next hearing in the case is due on 25.9.2014.

Another petition filed by Dr Arora  asking for revocation of suspension was disposed of by the Hon’ble High Court on 7.7.2014  with the order that the points raised by interventionists in the matter should be placed within a period of six weeks before the Governing Body which should consider whether or not the suspension should be revoked. 

On 25.7.2014, without holding a Governing Body meeting to consider the matter, the Chairman Prof A K Prasad issued a letter to Dr Arora, asking him to resume duties with immediate effect, on the basis of an approval by the VC of a personal recommendation by Prof Prasad, that the suspension be revoked. This action is a gross violation of the Delhi University Act, and is in contempt of the aforesaid order of the Hon’ble High Court. 

Dr GK Arora, has joined duty in the college on 25.7.14 on the basis of this illegal order, plunging the college into a fresh crisis. 

Since this is an extremely sensitive matter concerning the safety and dignity of our women employees and students, and concerns a college coming under the jurisdiction of the Delhi Government,  I would request your urgent intervention.

Please grant us an early an appointment for a small delegation of the DUTA and  representatives from the college so that we can explain the matter personally to you along with all the relevant documents.